5th Grade Doodle Profiles

Fifth grade studied visual texture to create these profile drawings.  While the students were finishing their previous project, I traced each individual student's profile.  Using an unlimited amount of colors, they added the doodle designs with marker.  They then cut out their profiles and attached them to colored paper.

This project turned out to be a great stress relief from all of the testing they had been doing!

4th Grade Middle Eastern Architecture Drawings

Fourth grade students examined Middle Eastern architecture to create their own version of buildings.  They looked at many examples of this style of architecture and identified common characteristics.  To add a little more interest, they added "fireworks" to the sky.

I can't take credit for this project idea.  I THOUGHT I had "pinned" this idea on Pinterest, but when I went back to find the link, it wasn't there.  I really need to do a better job of remembering where I've found these awesome projects, so I can give credit where credit is due!!

3rd Grade "Castle and Sun"

Third grade studied the art of Paul Klee, specifically his "Castle and Sun" artwork, as well as geometric shapes.  They first created the outline of a castle, or a large building, and then filled it in with geometric shapes.  They added color with chalk pastel and outlined their geometric shapes with black crayon. 

Thanks to For the Love of Art for the inspiration for this project!

Kindergarten "A Color of His Own" Chameleon Paintings

Kindergarten students LOVE to read books, so we read the book "A Color of His Own" by Leo Lionni and created a very colorful chameleon.  The students followed along with me to create the very basic chameleon shape.  Even though they watched me draw, notice how different the chameleons look!  Next, they added details inside the chameleon.  They used texture plates and crayons to give the chameleon a variety of textures.  We found that the textures didn't show up very well on construction paper, so we gave the chameleon a light coat of watercolor paint to bring out the textures.  This was a fun, quick project to do in between two larger projects! 

Thanks to Deep Space Sparkle for the inspiration for this project!

2nd Grade Poppies in Perspective

Second grade studied perspective to create these stunning poppy paintings.  They first drew a horizon line on either light blue or light gray paper.  Next, they painted red "lips" starting at the bottom with the largest and ending at the horizon line with the smallest.  Once dry, they used black oil pastel to add the black centers.  Using light green and dark green oil pastel, they drew lines to represent the grass and stems.  To add just a small amount of detail, they painted (or drew with oil pastel small wildflowers in pink and yellow. 

After hanging these in the hallway, many teachers told me that they'd like to have one to hang at home and they couldn't believe that second graders created these!

I can't take credit for this project idea, although I can't remember where I saw it!  Sometimes I find something that just sticks with me!

6th Grade Van Gogh Interpretations

Sixth graders studied the life and artistic style of Vincent van Gogh.  They chose one of his paintings, closely examining his use of texture and color.  Instead of copying the artwork exactly, the students were asked to create their own version of one of his many famous paintings using oil pastel.  It just so happens the examples I chose to post are of his "Starry Night" paintings. 

This artwork absolutely stunned me when it was turned in.  Some people just have that natural ability to understand color and texture.  Letting loose was always difficult for me because I have such a mathematical brain where everything needs to be straight and perfect (not that there's not a place for this kind of style in art) and letting loose was something that I needed to learn over time.  Anyway, I am SO impressed with this student's ability to create some pretty impressive paintings and oil pastel drawings!